Xabi Alonso enjoyed a wonderful first spell in senior management at Bayer Leverkusen and now, the German side could take advantage of that by signing one of his players.
An unbeaten 2023-24 league campaign not only saw Alonso win the Bundesliga title, but it also saw the Spaniard earn a reputation as one of the best young managers in Europe. Chelsea have pulled off a coup.
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Alonso officially starts work on July 1, but realistically, he will already be working behind the scenes to get his house in order. The Blues have a bloated squad and plenty of decisions are required this summer.
Not only do Chelsea have five new signings – including Valentin Barco – due to join, but the Blues are also set to welcome back a whole heap of loan players. On top of that, some current players will want to go.
Filip Jorgensen demands exit and Leverkusen will be interested
Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella, Cole Palmer and plenty of other Chelsea players have been linked with the exit door. Striker Joao Pedro, however, will not be joining Barcelona after the Blues stood firm.
One player that could go, however, is Danish star Filip Jorgensen. It comes after reports said Jorgensen had informed Chelsea he wanted to leave Stamford Bridge, due to a lack of Chelsea game time.
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Jorgensen has largely played back-up to Robert Sanchez this season, and given the Spaniard’s lack of form, that says it all. Jorgensen has had injuries, but he will be pondering why he’s not got game time.
Interestingly, Leverkusen were linked with Jorgensen in January, alongside West Ham. Now Jorgensen is likely to become available, Alonso’s old side will surely be on red alert for Chelsea’s £20m signing.
It would see Alonso have to help out his old side once again, pressing the green light on a move for the goalkeeper if Leverkusen do become interested. Chelsea are likely to want a replacement before he goes.
Jorgensen is likely to be the first of a mass Chelsea exodus
It’s the calm before the storm. Jorgensen is set to be the first casualty, certainly a high-profile one, but there will be plenty more. Gabriel Slonina could be axed by the Blues and Alonso in the coming months.
Does Jorgensen deserve to start over Sanchez?
Jorgensen linked with West Ham and Leverkusen
In defence, Chelsea have 10 centre-backs available. The likes of Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Mamadou Sarr and Wesley Fofana could depart this summer, for varying reasons and Alonso will have to decide.
With Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos ahead of Dario Essugo in the pecking order, there is a world where Essugo is sent on loan. Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap have offered nothing in the final third.
Plenty of players are set to leave and Chelsea need to reduce the squad size, having failed to qualify for Europe. The squad is primed to play in Europe, but the Blues will only have domestic fixtures next term.
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